Mining apparatus



Dec. 28 1926. 1,612,764

M. P. HOLMES MINING APPARATUS Original Filed .Tune 12l 1924 M 50 21 Lkw .J0 Q25 (15@ @S48/H J 12 v j Astri i )infr k2 Patented Dec. 2 8, 1926.

IVIORRIS P. HOLMES, OF

MASSACHUSETTS.

MINNG APPARATUS.

Application filed June 12, 1924,

My invention relates to mining apparatus.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved chain propelled mining apparatus and more particularly an improved chain mechanism associated with the 'feeding mechanism of such an apparatus. Another object of my invention is to provide a chain propelled mining machine having an improved chain stripper mechanism whereby the feed chain, which cooperates with a feed sprocket during the opertion of the machine, may be diverted from the feed sprocket, thereby preventing jamming and consequently breakage of the chain and its cooperating parts caused by the chain sticking to the sprocket. Still anotheiI object of niy invention is to provide an improved reversible pivoted chain stripper mechanism whereby the feed chain may be diverted from the feed sprocket on either side thereof. A still further object of my invention is to provide a chain propelled mining machine having improved chain stripper mechanism which is held in its operative position by means of the feed chain. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

ln the accompanying drawings l have shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawingsf- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the mining inachine in which my improved mechanism is incorporated, the cutter bar being shown in under-cutting position. y

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the. mining machine. shown in Fig. 1, with my improved chain stripper mechanism shown in operative position.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the mining machine, shown in Fig. 1, when being utilized as an over-cutter.

Fig. l is a transverse horizontal detail sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail side elevation of my improved chain strip-per mechanism.

'In this illustrative form of my invention l have shown a mining machine of a selfpropelled longwall type adapted to slide on its own bottom and having an elongated frame 1 presenting parallel plane surfaces 2 and 3 upon which the mining machine is selectively adapted to slide duringcutting, that is, when the machine is being used as Serial No, 719,692. Renewed August 5, 1928.

an under-cutter or an over-cutter. frame 1 carries at its rear end CLAREMONT, NEW HAE'PSHRE, ASSIGNOR T0 SULLIVAN MACI-INERY COMPANY, A CORPOBATON OF The pivoted cutter bar l provided with' an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 5 which is adapted to be circulatedabout the cutter bar in a well known manner, the mining machine also. herein, being adapted to move lonoitudinally along the face of the material to bje cut relative to a iiexible feeding ber,

herein a feed chain 6, adapted to cooperate with a feed sprocket S rotatable onv a longitudinally extending horizontal axis on the front end of the machine frame.

A plurality of guiding sprockets or sheaves 9,

on vertical axes adjacent irl, 15, and 16 are disposed the feed sprocket 8 and at the sides of the machine, with which the feed chain 6 is selectively adapted to cooperate during the the machine. The feed sprocket grooved, as at 17, and is provided sprocket teeth the feed chain cooperate.

ln my improved construction it various operations of 8 is with .18 with which the links of will be noted that'the feed sprocket is journaled on a longitudinally extending horizontal shaft 19 and is provided at its outer end with a cup-shaped retaining position by member 20 held in means of a suitable bolt 21 secured to the shaft 19, thereby preventing displacement of the feed sprocket from the shaft. The retaining member 2O is provided with a radially extending flange 22 which retains an annular hub 23 in position, the hub being journaled, as at 24, on the retaining member 20. on and carries a chain stripper generally designated which is provided at its upper and edges with grooved 27 which are adapted chain 6 and, in turn. with jecting member or finger into the circular. groove. feed sprocket 8.

In the use of my imp roved mechanism asshown in Figs. 1 2 l and 5 it will be that the advance portion of the feed 6 is secured to a suitable extraneous This hub is formed mechanism, 25, of improved fori-n lower guiding surfaces 26 and to engage the feed an inwardly pro- 28 which projects 17 formed in the noted chain abutment or jack (not shown) and is extended along the working face around the inner guide sheave 16 lower and transversely and rearwardly around the guide sheave 10, the slack or receding portion of'the chain passing transversely from the machine.

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grooved portion 27 of the chain stripper rests on the top surface of the taut advance portion of the feed chain and is held thereby in its operative position during the operation of the feed sprocket. The feed sprocket 8 is then rotated in a counter-clockwise direction at a slow speed causing the fixed or advance portion of the feed chain to be acted on, consequently causingthe machine to move forwardly relative to the chain along the face, The feed chain comes on to the feed sprocket 8 at a point indicated at 29, and is required to leave this feed sprocket, by means of the stripper, at a point indicated at 30. rllhe load or stress on the feed chain during feeding causes the latter to cling or stick to the feed sprocket, and in the absence of the chain stripper frequently causes the chain to pile up, jam, or to be wound on the sprocket, interrupting the feed and consequently resulting in a broken feed chain or damaging other cooperating feeding parts. To prevent this the chain stripper is provided. The inwardly projecting nger 28 of the chain stripper which extends into the groove 17 formed in the sprocket, pushes the links of the freei or slack receding end of the feed chain from the sprocket, t-hereby preventing jamming and breakage of the chain. When the machine is turned over in its over-cutting position, as indicated in Fig. 3, with the surface 2 of the mining machine disposed on the mine bottom, the advance portion of the feed chain passes from the jack along the face to the lower inner guide sheave 9 transversely of the machine and forwardly around the guide sheave 11 beneath and upwardly around the feed sprocket 8, the slack chain then passing transversely of the machine, When the machine is in this position the chain stripper mechanism is swungl around the ,bearing 24 on the retaining member 20 to the opposite side of the feed sprocket, the lower grooved portion 27 still riding on the taut feed chain at this time. Obviously if a reversible driving motor were utilized, as is common in this art, the chain stripper 25 will act in the manner similar to that described above with 'the exception that the chain 6 will be diverted from the sprocket 8 from the opposite surface thereof.

lVhile l have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its` spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

that I claim as new and desire to secure by Leiters Patent is l. in a miningI machine. feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain, and means held in operative position by said chain for diverting the same from said sprocket.

2. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain, and means held in a plurality of operative positions by said chain for diverting said chain from said sprocket. I

In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain, and means pivoted on an axis coaxial with the axis of said sprocket for diverting said feed chain from said sprocket.

at. ln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and ai cooperating feed chain, and a pivoted stripper member held in operative position by said chain for diverting said chain from said sprocket.

5. In a mining' machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain, and a stripper lnember provided with a chain engaging finger pivoted on an axis coaxial with the axis of said sprocket.

6. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain, and a stripper member provided with a chain engaging linger held in operative position fby said chain for diverting said chain from said sprocket.

7. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism includingl a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating` feed chain, and a pivoted stripper member provided with a member extending into the path of said chain for diverting said chain from said sprocket from either side thereof.

8. ln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable grooved feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain` and means pivoted on an axis coaxial' with the axis of said feed sprocket and extending into said groove for diverting said chain from said sprocket.

9. ln a mining machine, feedingl mechanism including a reversely rotatable grooved feed sprocket and a cooperating' feed chain, and a pivotedl stripper member provided with a finger extending into the path ot said chain and into said groove for diverting` said chain from said sprocket irrespective of the direction of rotation of the latter.

l0. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain, and means adapted to be engaged by the advance and receding portions of said feed chain for diverting said chain from said sprocket.

ll. In a miningmachine. feeding` mechanism including' a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain, and means pivoted on an axis coaxial with the aXis of said feed sprocket provided with spaced chain engaging portions, one of which is adapted to divert, said chain from said sprocket.

12. In a. mining machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain, and means pivoted on an axis coaxial with the axis of said feed sprocket and adapted to be swung to opposite sides of said sprocket for diverting said chain from said sprocket.

18. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain, guiding sheaves for said chain, about Which the latter may be variously reeved relative to said sprocket, and means held in operative position by said chain for diverting said chain from said sprocket irrespective of the reeve of said chain relative to said sprocket.

14. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a rotatable feed sprocket and a cooperating feed chain. and a pivoted stripper member held in operative position by said chain provided with a member eX- tending into the path of said chain for diverting the latter from said sprocket irrespective of the direction of movement of the latter.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

